Sound off for Sumatra medal

By Corporal Cameron Jamieson

THE time has come for eligible ADF personnel who served on Operations Sumatra Assist I and II to sound off and accept their medal.

Personnel can now apply for their Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) with “Indian Ocean” clasp following the release of signal (194/DHA) 272210Z NOV 05, which explains the administration process.

Application is made through the “sounding process”, where an eligible ADF member must individually accept the award, as the HOSM is administered by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC).

Irene Wilson, Director of Honours and Awards, said it was important for personnel to understand that they must apply to receive the award.

“The HOSM is not an ADF medal,” she said.

“While the Directorate of Honours and Awards (DHA) has identified eligible ADF personnel who were members of elements force assigned to Op Sumatra Assist, it is PMC which will issue the medal. Therefore the PMC protocols must be observed.

“What we have done is publish the list of eligible personnel on our intranet site, along with the ‘sounding form’ that personnel will need to complete and send to PMC.”

Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal

The process for applying is:

• Access the DHA site http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpe/honours_awards/ (the documents can also be sourced directly from DHA on 1800 111 321).
  
• Select the “Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal” link under “Current Issues”.
  
• This will take you to general information on the HOSM with Indian Ocean clasp.
  At the bottom of the page are links to the nominal role and sounding form, as well as to the Commonwealth of Australia gazettes dealing with the regulations and the determination relating to the award.
  
• First, check that your name is on the nominal roll.
  If it isn’t, and you believe you are eligible, contact John Logus, acting Assistant Director, Honours, Decorations and Medals, at john.logus1@defence.gov.au
  
• Next, print and complete the sounding process form and send it to PMC at the address at the top of the form.
  
• All medals, once approved by the Governor-General, will be returned to Defence for dispatch.
  
• ADF applicants should note that their name will be entered on the internet site www.itsanhonour.gov.au.
  
  
  
  

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